Trichloroethanol inhibits ATP-induced membrane currents in cultured HEK 293-hP2X(3) cells

Membrane currents in response to the application of alpha,beta -methylene A TP (alpha,beta -meATP) were recorded by the whole-cell patch-clamp techniqu e in human embryonic kidney 293 cells transfected with the human P2X(3) rec eptor (HEK 293-hP2X(3) cells). Trichloroethanol, the biologically active me tabolite of chloral hydrate, but not ethanol itself concentration-dependent ly and reversibly inhibited the current responses. It was concluded that th e reported analgesic effect of chloral hydrate may be due to the interrupti on of pain transmission in dorsal root ganglia expressing P2X(3) receptors. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.